Google Goes To Great Heights Mapping Everest And Kilimanjaro [Pics]

In the latest release, Google Maps gives us a detailed view of some of the world’s tallest mountains. A team of Googlers with a love of mountaineering decided to take photos and make them available in Google Maps for all to see.

This imagery was collected with a lightweight tripod and digital camera with a fisheye lens. On each expedition, they captured a collection of panoramas at key camps and other interesting stops along the way.

Now Google Maps users can explore some of the most famous mountains on Earth, including Aconcagua (South America), Kilimanjaro (Africa), Elbrus (Europe), and Everest Base Camp (Asia). They can instantly transport themselves to the top of these peaks and enjoy the beautiful views without facing danger from avalanches, rock slides, crevasses, and bad weather.

There are a number of interesting sights, including a Buddhist monastery on the Everest trek and huts made from Soviet-era fuel barrels on Russia’s Mount Elbrus, in which climbers take refuge when the weather turns nasty. Click through to see some images of the mountains: